How far apart should I plant Garden pea?

About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).

Does Garden pea need full sun?

Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Garden pea need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Garden pea?

It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Garden pea flower?

About 6–8 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.

Is Garden pea poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Garden pea is non-toxic to people and pets.

What grows well with Garden pea?

"Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Garden pea Pisum sativum

Garden pea (Pisum sativum) is an annual vegetable in the Fabaceae family. It grows 60 cm–1.8 m (24 in–5.9 ft) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.

Plan Garden pea in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Garden pea at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	60 cm–1.8 m (24 in–5.9 ft)
Mature spread	20–40 cm (8–16 in)
Spacing	8 cm (3 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none
Cold hardiness	About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F)
Flowering	about 6–8 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks
Days to maturity	About 70 days from planting
Wind tolerance	None
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Yes: pods, seeds, shoots
Common in gardens of	🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇦 Canada

Is Garden pea toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Garden pea is non-toxic to people and pets.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Garden pea

Good neighbours

good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C

Keep apart or take care

caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C

Questions about Garden pea

How far apart should I plant Garden pea?: About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
Does Garden pea need full sun?: Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Garden pea need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Garden pea?: It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Garden pea flower?: About 6–8 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
Is Garden pea poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Garden pea is non-toxic to people and pets.
What grows well with Garden pea?: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Cool-season crop; fades in heat.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis
Soybean (edamame) Glycine max